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Introduction to Public Participation and the ILC

Introduction to Public Participation and the ILC. Douglas Sarno The Perspectives Group, Inc. Alexandria, Virginia February 22, 2006.

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Introduction to Public Participation and the ILC

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  1. Introduction to Public Participation and the ILC Douglas Sarno The Perspectives Group, Inc. Alexandria, Virginia February 22, 2006

  2. Public Participation is a big investment to prevent even bigger problems later.Any decision that could result in public outrage or opposition needs public participation.

  3. Low Outrage High Outrage Public Outrage Necessitates Involvement Voluntary Coerced Natural Industrial Familiar Not Familiar Not Memorable Memorable Not Dreaded Dreaded Chronic Catastrophic

  4. Low Outrage High Outrage Public Outrage Necessitates Involvement Knowable Unknowable Personal Control Outside Control Fair Unfair Morally Irrelevant Morally Relevant Trustworthy Untrustworthy Responsible Unresponsive

  5. The more you exert control, the more resistance you create Forced agreement is not agreement Good process is the best path to good agreement Don’t Get Lost in the Fallacy of Control

  6. If you are seeking buy-in... Then you are not doingpublic participation

  7. BUY-IN

  8. In public participation we need to provide stakeholders with a genuine opportunity to influence the decision.

  9. Any process that seeks to understand public values and use diverse public input in a planned effort to improve decision-making. What is Public Participation

  10. Why Do Public Participation?

  11. So that decisions can be implemented Why Do P2 Reason 1 Powerful decision-making leads to ownership

  12. So that all stakeholders understand Why Do P2 Reason 2 Tell me, I forget Show me, I remember Involve me, I understand Chinese Proverb

  13. Because they will participate anyway, only worse: Why Do P2 Reason 3 Lawsuits Political action Protest Media

  14. Because you want to engage all stakeholders, not just the ones who agree or disagree with you. Why Do P2 Reason 4 Balanced reporting Not “us vs. them” Group influence Shared learning

  15. 1) Skills 2) Approach 3) Attitude Best Practices

  16. 1) Be Clear About Intent Best Practices Identify realistic role for the public Set clear goals Identify what’s on and off the table Communicate goals clearly Use the IAP2 spectrum

  17. 2) Commit Best Practices Integrate P2 into decision making Promise only what you can deliver Deliver what you promise Demonstrate what you deliver Recognize long-term relationships

  18. 3) Be Inclusive Best Practices There is no one “public” Seek out all important voices Resist only talking to usual suspects

  19. 4) Start Early Best Practices • Values need to be considered in developing criteria and options • Engage before positions harden and anger builds • Understanding must precede contribution • Address human learning needs • Involve others in the planning!

  20. 5) Communicate Credibly Best Practices • Know your “goodwill balance” • Identify the full set of facts • Be transparent • Teach people how to participate • Communicate from their perspective • Ask for help • Seek and provide feedback

  21. 6) Create Opportunities for Dialogue Best Practices Real dialogue Focus on values and interests Get beyond surface positions Foster relationships Create small forums Learn together Partner with credible organizations

  22. 7) Ask the Right Questions Best Practices It is not about what the public “wants” Focus on questions they can answer Start at the beginning Share responsibility for action Match your tools accordingly

  23. 8) It’s a Process, not an Event Best Practices Don’t start with techniques Match techniques to goals Focus on continuous communication Relationships are more important than activities Pay attention to your behavior

  24. Summary Identify legitimate role for public Identify the voices to be heard Focus on information, relationships, and dialogue Design a process and select techniques to meet your goals Communicate throughout

  25. Tritium Case Transparent Early Ongoing Building relationships Include employees Setting stage for ILC

  26. Public Participation and the ILC Started 2 years ago with FCTF Got input to siting criteria 11/05 ID stakeholder community Begin relationship-building Begin shared knowledge base Seek opportunities for influence

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